Category Archive

Remember a few years ago when it was all the rage amongst so called “men” to wear hair bands and scrape back their long greasy hair? Yeah me too and it looks like dark times are upon us once again as images of a very bearded Joaquin Phoenix sporting some “man clips” are floating around the information super highway. Like anything in the fashion world prefixed with the word “man” it looks and is a bag of crap, nothing angers me more than idiotic man-hair with the possible exception of men in Ugg Boots. Evenmen in make up fails to hit quite so high on the richter scale.

Stripe scarves are starting to become so ubiquitous that they’re joining Taz socks and Homer Simpson ties in the naffness leagues, not any old stripe scarf though, it’s the fine stripe stretchy knit scarf with usually comes in a burgundy melange of colours and has fringing on the ends.

men.style.com have posted their fashion forecast for 2009 and it looks like we will be wearing floral print with holes in our shoes this year. As forecasts go I think it’s a little hit and miss, yes plaid is here to stay and mismatching suit jacket/pants seem to be pretty hot right now but I can’t see myself in a pair of perforated winkle pickers I’m afraid.

The latest Buck magazine hit the stands last Friday and amongst its Gallic-themed pages is a great piece on the importance of denim this S/S. Highlighting the same Acne/Lanvin collaboration I’ve been talking about here recently it seems that there’s nothing to stop a full on indigo revolution once the sun finally breaks out.

Of all the films pending release in early 2009, Harvey Milk – Gus Van Sant‘s biopic of the gay rights leader/politician – is most likely to have an impact on the fashion front. As we stride towards a boot-legged, tight-hipped summer, the movie might just start to look prescient: suggesting alternatives to the side parting (big hair!) and yet more reasons to grow a moustache.

As we endure the last week of 2008 and look back upon a year of fashion extremes, we still have the sartorial challenge of New Year’s Eve (NYE) ahead of us. While many opt for a loud, proud and (often) garish get-up, I am aiming to attempt a subtle luxury with the help of muted colours but opulent fabrics (velvet, silk, corduroy etc.)…c

Isabelle’s post about the lovely blue cardigan made me look out for other items to fulfill menswear’s current blue moment. Other options to bring out the peacock in you include Acne Jeans’ (yes, them again!) rather stunning blue cords, these snazzy blue-soled shoes by Folk, high-gloss patent Commom Projects hi-tops from Poste and this super-cosy down-filled sweater by Patagonia also from Folk.

The other day I posted an alternative to the bow tie .. and here’s another. The kerchief worn as necktie adds a jaunty, hipster edge to your shirt collar. There are several ways to knot, consider your personal style and what you’re wearing it with. Ideally find something vintage. Silk always looks dashing or use that spotted pocket square you’ve never had a use for.

Whilst the appetite for formal dressing in menswear shows no sign of slacking, inevitably certain details start to look a bit tired. Thus it is with the bow tie. Whilst some can carry this off with aplomb (as the cover star of last month’s debut Buckmagazine showed) for others it was never going to be easy. There’s something novelty about the bow tie that risks looking too try-hard.

Last winter saw a few brave male fashion pioneers trying out the tucked in boots look. This winter it’s all but essential.

But there are some definite rules to make it look effortless. If your pants are too wide you can end up with balloon pants that are more Ali Baba than louche hipster. Too skinny and you end up looking like an ’80s skinhead. A classic straight leg jean cut is the best option for median bagginess. There should also be element of insouciance: a bit of errant hem helps here, as does leaving the top few lace-holes undone for that Artful Dodger touch.

On Jak et Jil they’re agog over a pair of Givenchy ghillie brogues with added buckles, lacing and straps. Ghillie brogues are worn by bagpipers, members of marching bands and are an essential part of Highland dress; I’ve always loved the contrast between the feminine lacing and the masculine brogue. I like what Richardo Tisci has done with the classic shoe, and with a careful bit of crafting you could easily recreate the look.